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MMOGs With Television, Movie Add-Ons
conq writes "BusinessWeek has an exclusive interview with James Cameron. In it, the director reveals plans to design a massively-multiplayer online game (MMOG) alongside his next film, Project 880. There's also exclusive news that Ron Howard's upcoming reality show, XQuest, will have an MMOG component. Gamers will be able to interact with the contestants in the show (the game will be similar to Eve Online), and winners at home will be in the next season's show."
When I go to the store and see a game that's based on a movie, I don't even give the box a second glance. There have been so many bad movie-licenced games (and it seems that every single movie has one) that it's just not worth trying them anymore. It surprises me that people buy these games and therefore make it worth it for more bad games to be released. I have a feeling this game will be another "Enter the Matrix"
You know, with all this high tech, I wonder if adding the "reality" element with the 24hr cameras, etc. is really necessary. If the SFX are as good as they say, just watching the contestants complete their "intergalactic" missions is worth it.
No more "reality", please... we're sick tired of it.
If this is any kind of success, I'd imagine that many of the major Hollywood producers with their millions will want to start backing MMOG's of their own. Remember, folks, games are still in a very nascent stage; similar to movies in the 50's (as in, 30 years after the start of cinema).
Ex nihilo nihil fit.
I think the problem is the tail is wagging the dog.
Instead of releasing a MMOG and a film in parallel, if you really want to do something innovative, release the film inside the MMOG. It wouldn't even have to be exclusively in the MMOG.
I'd scatter clues to the game throughout the movie, and keep the movie running continuously on the cineplex inside the MMOG (charging admission of course).
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These days, single-player games based on media licenses are just another form of marketing to extend the brand of the movie or TV property. It's almost a given that you will see a game based on a Disney movie, no matter how lame the mini-games end up being. Curiously, in that case they work because the audience of those particular movies want something basic that allows them to simply interact a bit more with Timon and Pumbaa (and even I liked the Burper).
I think this is a bit different, however. The principle is the same as above (allow the audience to interact a bit more), except that instead of a "video game," it's now a 3D chatroom with objectives (which pretty much describes the appeal of most MMOGs in the first place). Plus, you get to influence the course of the show.
I didn't see anything in TFA about "Eve Online." Submitter's speculation?
Which makes me concerned about pricing. How much would it cost, and how much per month is it? Do I get a free month with purchase of DVD?
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This is very similar (more than standard MMOG fare) to Alternate Reality Games. There was actually just a great article at ARGN in relation to the new television show by the guy behind "Survivor", making a MMOG tied into a television show, "Gold Rush" where you need both TV clues and online "research" to succeed in tracking down treasures of gold hidden across the US.
Anyway, it's a very interesting idea, to say the least. I think we're going to continue to see the lines between entertainment and advertising, as well as television and internet continue to blur until they're considered one all-inclusive item.